Identifying symptoms and treating Canine Distemper

It is one of the most frequent killers of stray and pet dogs and fatality is very high

It is deadly and very common. So you might miss a rabies shot but don’t miss one for Distemper

The first line of defence for a dog is ‘vaccinations’

If you suspect distemper get to a vet quickly that will give treatment. Left on its own and most treatment that average vets provide your dog will die

Don’t let your vet determine by ‘examination’ and ‘guess work’ – the dog has to take a test.

Isolation of the dog and aggressive treatment are critical for the dog. Don’t let someone else take the responsibility for it – it's your dog! Now read on.

Symptoms & Spread of disease

Canine distemper belongs to the Morbillivirus class of viruses and is a relative of the measles virus. Canine distemper is highly contagious and is carried airborne and via touch. It has no known cure. Unvaccinated puppies and non-immunized older dogs tend to be more susceptible to the disease.

The virus spreads through the air and by direct or indirect contact with an infected animal (i.e. utensils, bedding).

Week 1: Symptoms appear as ‘common cold for the dog’ as virus attacks a dog’s tonsils and lymph nodes and replicates itself there for about one week.

Week 2: The virus then attacks the respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

Symptoms include high fever (≥103.5 ° F, or 39.7° C), reddened eyes, and a watery discharge from the nose and eyes. This is the ‘tell-tale’ sign of distemper. The ‘distemper twitch’ is a much later sign and by that time it's probably too late and/or the dog has survived distemper

The dog is lethargic and reduces or stops eating and become anorexic.

Persistent coughing, vomiting, and diarrhoea may also occur.

Week 3/4: The virus starts attacking the other systems of the dog’s body, particularly the nervous system. The brain and spinal cord are affected and the dog may start having fits, seizures, paralysis, and attacks of hysteria. Death may result in two to five weeks after the initial infection. [1] If the dog survives this stage on its own immunity this is when the ‘twitch’ shows.

Preventing distemper

Dose ’0′: If the dog is less than 40 days old give it a vaccination called ‘PuppyDP’. Each day delayed exposes the puppy more

Dose ’1′: For puppies > 40 days old and if they have had, or not had Puppy DP – they need to get the 1st dose of the DLHPPi ( 7-in-1 / 8-in-1/ 9-in-1) vaccine. This is the 1st dose.

Dose ’2′: 2nd dose of DLHPPi 1 month from dose ’1′

Dose ’3′: 3rd dose of DLHPPi 1 month from Dose ’2′

Thereafter 1 booster dose every 1 year.

If you have an adult dog you repeat steps 5 and 6

As the virus attacks bacterial infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems increase the dogs vulnerability. High dosage of antibiotics is required to counteract that.

Diagnosis & Treatment

As soon as you suspect Canine Distemper take the dog to a vet

Their first act should be to run a diagnostic test using a Distemper test kit. This is a biochemical strip test and and uses body secretions.

If the test shows distemper, the doctor will prescribe isolation and a line of treatment (2 to 3 times a day). Do NOT miss ANY fluid and antibiotic treatment. Not one. Your dog is fighting a losing battle and you’re the only chance he's got.